Suicide in Canada - Statistics & Facts
Suicide, or intentional self-harm, remains a troubling and relevant public health issue in Canada. Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in Canada in 2020, highlighting the extent of the problem and the importance of open discussion around mental health and access to mental health services. Mental health issues in Canada are not uncommon with the percentage of Canadians reporting they have fair or poor mental health increasing steadily over the past decade. A diagnosis of a mental health disorder is a leading risk factor for suicide along with a history of suicide attempts, chronic pain, a family history of mental illness or suicide, and exposure to physical or sexual violence at home. However, most people with such risk factors will not attempt suicide and it can be difficult to determine who will act on suicidal thoughts and who will not. Nevertheless, if you fear that someone you know is at risk for suicide or you yourself are contemplating suicide it is essential to seek help.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, it is essential to seek help. Many countries have suicide crisis or prevention lines that offer free advice and support in such situations. If you live in the United States, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you live in Canada you can call Talk Suicide at 1-833-456-4566.
How many people die from suicide in Canada each year?
In Canada, around 4,000 people die from suicide each year, although the number of deaths has fluctuated slightly over the past decade or so. In 2020, there were 3,839 suicide deaths in Canada, a decrease from 4,528 deaths in 2019. The suicide rate in Canada is highest among those aged 55 to 59 years, with a rate of around 15.3 deaths per 100,000 population. The Canadian provinces and territories with the highest suicide rates are Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, while Prince Edward Island currently has the lowest rate of suicide deaths. However, Ontario and Quebec have the highest total number of deaths from suicide, with Ontario reporting 1,315 deaths in 2020.Differences between males and females
In Canada, men and women are almost equally likely to report suicidal ideation, however men are much more likely to die from suicide than women. Over the past two decades the suicide rate for men in Canada has consistently been at least double that of women, sometimes reaching over three times the rate seen in women. In 2020, the suicide rate for men in Canada was 15.2 per 100,000 population, while the rate for women was 5 per 100,000 population. Furthermore, there exist vast differences in which age groups are most likely to die from suicide among males and females. Those aged 90 years and over are the most likely age group to die by suicide among males, while those aged 20 to 24 and 30 to 34 years have the highest rates of suicide among females.If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, it is essential to seek help. Many countries have suicide crisis or prevention lines that offer free advice and support in such situations. If you live in the United States, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you live in Canada you can call Talk Suicide at 1-833-456-4566.
